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Psychology Courses

NOTE: All prerequisite courses listed must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

In this course students survey the research and theories of the science of human behavior with a particular focus on human mental processes. Among the topics discussed are development, learning, memory, perception, personality, motivation, social behavior, abnormal behavior and therapy. Also included is an introduction to the various careers associated with psychology. Key to the study of psychology is the scientific method and how it is applied to the analysis and measurement of individuals and groups.

PSYC 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors)

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to Psychology. This course focuses on the scientific study of human and animal behavior, including mental process. Among the subjects studied are the effect of the body on behavior, how people think and learn, what motivates individuals, how children grow and develop, and what makes people behave abnormally. In addition, the course requires participation in seminars, the close interpretive reading of primary texts, and the writing of academic essays that focus on the interpretation of primary texts. May be taken concurrently with any Honors course. Fulfills Interpretive Studies requirement.

PSYC 110 Descriptive Research Methods in Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce students to the scientific method as it applies to answering questions about human behavior through non-experimental research methods such as survey and observation. Topics include the ethical and practical limitations of collecting data in applied settings via surveys, interviews, and observation. Students will be introduced to basic descriptive statistics which they will use to evaluate data.

PSYC 167 Foundations of Statistical Methods for Social and Behavioral Sciences

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to statistical concepts and methods used in the field of psychology, including quantitative description, probability, inferential methods, and hypothesis-testing. Specific topics covered include central tendency, variability, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, and non-parametric tests. The course emphasizes a conceptual understanding of statistics applied in the context of psychological research and trains students to use statistical software. Prerequisite:FNMT 118 or MATH 118 Additional Course Fee: $85

PSYC 201 Child Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

Students examine the development of the child from conception through middle childhood. The influences of heredity as well as developmental processes such as physical maturation, cognitive changes, personality and social growth are studied. Prerequisite:PSYC 101.

PSYC 202 Human Sexuality

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

Explores sexual behavior and sexual attitudes of individuals throughout the lifespan. It examines ways in which an individual’s perceptions, learning, motivation and personality, along with cultural factors such as gender, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic status shape his or her sexual attitudes and behaviors. Students will learn to critically analyze, reflect upon and evaluate different theoretical perspectives from psychology as well as from the related sciences. Prerequisite:PSYC 101. Fulfills American/Global Diversity requirement.

PSYC 205 Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

The course examines the characteristics of psychological disorders. For each disorder, multiple theoretical explanations are examined, including the psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, socio-cultural and humanistic. Secondary consideration is given to the treatments derived from the theories examined. Prerequisite:PSYC 101. Fulfills Writing Intensive requirement.

PSYC 209 Adolescent Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course studies physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, during the period from childhood to maturity known as adolescence. Students will explore various psychological theories and perspectives related to adolescent development. Prerequisite:PSYC 101.

PSYC 210 Experimental Research Methods in Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce students to the scientific method as it applies to answering questions about human behavior through the use of experimentation. Topics include the ethical and practical limitations of experimental design, issues of validity and reliability, sample selection and assignment, and variations of experimental design. Students will read and interpret literature in psychology and learn APA style of report writing. Students will analyze data with a commonly used statistical analysis program. Prerequisites:ENGL 101, PSYC 101, PSYC 110, PSYC 167.Additional Course Fee: $85 Fulfills Interpretive Studies and Writing Intensive requirements.

PSYC 211 Personality Theory

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the major theories of personality with emphasis on psychological growth and development. Theories representing the psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic perspectives are reviewed and the implications of these theories are discussed Prerequisite:PSYC 101.Fulfills Writing Intensive requirement.

PSYC 215 Developmental Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores current research findings and significant theoretical perspectives related to the cognitive, socioemotional and physical domains of human development across the lifespan. A major theme of the course is the interaction between nature and nurture in human development. Prerequisites:PSYC 101 or BIOL 109. Fulfills American/Global Diversity and Writing Intensive requirements.

PSYC 215H: Developmental Psychology (Honors)

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores current research findings and significant theoretical perspectives on the biosocial, psychosocial and cognitive domains of human development across the life span. A major theme of the course is the interaction between nature and nurture in human development. In addition, the Honors course requires participation in seminars, the close interpretive reading of primary texts, and the writing of academic essays that focus on the interpretation of primary texts. Prerequisites:PSYC 101 or BIOL 109. Corequisite: One Honors Writing course (ENGL 101H, ENGL 102H, ENGL 195H, or ENGL 196H). Fulfills the Interpretive Studies, Writing Intensive requirements.

PSYC 221 Social Psychology

3-0-3

Credit Hours: 3

Examines the behavior of the individual in the social environment. Topics include attitudes, conformity, persuasion, prejudice, aggression and attraction. Prerequisite:PSYC 101.